Ruby Falls

Most of Lookout Mountain is made of limestone rock. About 240 million years ago, a shallow sea covered the eastern Tennessee area, and it was in this sea that the limestone of Lookout Mountain was formed. Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed by successive layers of shale, sand, and pebbly sand. The layers of sediment hardened over time to form limestone rock.

The bending and folding of the brittle limestone and sandstone layers caused a series of cracks and crevices to form. The rock layers slid past each other along what geologists call faults. These faults were the very beginning of Ruby Falls cave.

After the formation of the Ruby Falls Cave, a surface stream entered it and left deposits of sand and gravel along the walls. During this time a sinkhole developed near the head of the stream and allowed great amounts of water to enter.

Tales of this cave’s huge chambers and winding passages have long been passed down from one generation to the next, and the cave’s whereabouts have been known by Chattanooga inhabitants for centuries.

The rich history of this cave includes Native Americans, cave explorers, notorious outlaws, civil war soldiers, and even a president of the United States.There were many reports of explorers traveling deep into this cave, as far as 12 miles without reaching the end.

If you really look, it appears you can see a school of carved on the wall.

Connor and Evan were made "guardians" of the cave. They were allowed to push the buttons to turn on the lights so everyone was safe.

This one was named "Angels wing".

This area looked like a slab of bacon.

The boys and I laughed because this looked like Davy Jones's beard from Pirates of the Caribbean.

The most unique of which being Ruby Falls, a 145-foot underground waterfall located more than 1,120 feet beneath the mountain’s surface.

The same shot without the flash showing the hight and beauty of the falls.

Not such a great shot but this looked like bee hives dripping with honey.

The caves were full of little streams and glistened as the light was reflected from the water.

Ruby Falls has become much more than just a cavern. It is an experience for people of all ages, affording them extraordinary views, inspiring sites and shared memories that will last a lifetime.